"The Wrestler"

To begin this review, I should note that, on Friday night, I hadn't intended to see "The Wrestler". Because my original selection, "Waltz with Bashir" was sold-out, this was my secondary choice (and better than going home and, inevitably, struggling with the latest math textbook I'm studying).

The movie was disappointing. I do, however, understand why so many films critics have praised the film.

My primary complaint of the movie is the narration-style. The movie begins with the primary character, Randy the Ram, in the midst of his dysfunctions. Following a strict linear time line, the movie progresses to follow Randy the Ram as he -- generally -- struggles. He struggles with his relationship with his daughter. He struggles with the only possible romantic relationship. And as is evident, he's a failure in many ways.

Without a flashback -- or any interruption of the linear time line -- the movie doesn't provide any type of explanation or insertion of what happened to Randy. Why, for instance, did he become a washout, after achieving a high degree of fame as a professional wrestler? Why doesn't he perceive -- what I think anyone who sees the movie would -- abandon wrestling? What are the hints or reasons to why he treated his daughter so poorly?

Instead, proceeding with Randy the Ram's decision to continue to professionally wrestle, the movie -- essentially -- forces the viewer to interpret what has happened to him. I wanted more. I wanted to understand Randy beyond the strict slice of time the movie makers presented. Perhaps most importantly, I wanted to sympathize with him. Instead, I found myself detesting him. I detested his choices. I detested the way he treated his daughter. I detested his failures.

After the movie, I felt disappointed. The short amount of time spent with Randy the Ram, I thought, wasn't enough. I wanted to know more about him and I wondered why the film makers didn't want to present more.

Finally, one interpretation that I thought was deliberate was the metaphor of Randy the Ram as the US. In the final wrestling match of the movie and the final scene, Randy has a rematch with the Ayatollah -- a wrestler who wears a head dress and menacingly waves -- what looks like -- the Iranian flag. Twenty years prior, Randy the Ram confidentally destroyed the Ayatollah. Now, during the rematch, it's left to the viewer to interpret what's happened. It's somewhat clear, however, that the outcome that has been determined, that Randy the Ram once again wins, is not how the match is going to end.